The iPhone 16 is the phone that topped Counterpoint Research’s 2025 sales ranking, and Apple still lists it in its lineup next to newer models. That makes it the most likely iPhone to be in someone’s pocket, so this page collects the cable, charger and screen facts you need from Apple’s own documents. Every figure is traced to a source listed at the bottom of the page.
Key specs
| Release date | 2024-09-20 |
|---|---|
| Status | Current lineup |
| Charging port | USB-C |
| USB spec | USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s) |
| Wireless charging | Qi2, MagSafe |
| Charger in box | No |
| Display type | OLED |
| Display size (in) | 6.1 |
| Chip | A18 |
| Storage options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
| Launch price (USD, MSRP) | $799 |
| iFixit repairability score | 7/10 |
Two blanks are deliberate. The wired charging row is empty because Apple publishes a fast-charge claim tied to an adapter, not a maximum wattage. The refresh rate row is empty because Apple lists no ProMotion or refresh rate for this model on its specification page.
Where does the iPhone 16 fit?
Apple introduced the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus on September 9, 2024, with pre-orders from Friday, September 13 and availability from Friday, September 20. The iPhone 16 started at $799 in the US with 128GB, 256GB and 512GB of storage; the Plus started at $899. Apple lists five colors: black, white, pink, teal and ultramarine.
Counterpoint Research’s tracker, as reported by AppleInsider, ranked the iPhone 16 first in the world for 2025. Reporting on the Q2 2026 data puts it tenth in that quarter, still in the top 10 two years after launch. Apple’s main iPhone lineup page lists it beside the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e. See the Apple hub for the rest, including the iPhone 17 that followed it and the iPhone 16 Pro.
What cable does the iPhone 16 use?
The iPhone 16 has one USB-C connector. Apple’s specifications list charging, DisplayPort and USB 2 data transfer at up to 480Mb/s for the port, and the box includes a 1 m USB-C charge cable that Apple says supports fast charging and works with USB-C power adapters and computer ports.
If you are coming from an older iPhone, the cable is the first change you will notice: it is USB-C, not Lightning. Our USB-C explainer covers the connector, and the Lightning page covers what Apple says about Lightning accessories. The iPhone 16’s data speed is USB 2, so a faster cable will not speed up transfers, because the USB-IF says USB products run at the lowest common speed. For the official speed tiers see USB 2.0 vs USB 3.x, and for tips on buying see cable buying safety.
What charger does the iPhone 16 need?
Wired. Apple lists the iPhone 16 as fast-charge capable: up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes with a 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with a USB-C charging cable. Apple also notes a 30W adapter or higher with a MagSafe Charger gives the same headline figure. Apple says iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus do not include a power adapter, and encourages you to use any compatible USB-C power adapter. Our wattage guide and USB Power Delivery page explain how adapters are rated.
MagSafe. Apple’s specification page lists MagSafe wireless charging up to 25W with a 30W adapter or higher. Apple’s MagSafe page is more specific: the iPhone 16 achieves 22.5W peak power, while the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max reach 25W with a 30W or greater adapter rated 15V/2.0A or higher. We follow the more specific figure in the text and show Apple’s headline in the table. Plug the charger in before placing the phone, so MagSafe can verify it is safe to deliver maximum power.
Qi2. Apple lists Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W for the iPhone 16. See Qi2 explained and our wireless charger guide; the Wireless Power Consortium says only Qi Certified products may show the Qi or Qi2 logo.
Accessories connected. Apple says MagSafe charging is limited to 7.5W while USB-C or Lightning accessories are connected to an iPhone 16. For a short checklist, read which charger is safe for my phone.
The screen, explained
The iPhone 16 has a 6.1-inch all-screen OLED display, branded Super Retina XDR, at 2556-by-1179 pixels and 460 ppi, with Dynamic Island. Apple lists 1000 nits typical maximum brightness, 1600 nits peak for HDR and 2000 nits peak outdoors. Apple notes the display has rounded corners, and when measured as a standard rectangle the screen is 6.12 inches diagonally, with the actual viewable area less than that.
OLED means each pixel makes its own light, which is why dark areas can be very dark; see OLED explained. The iPhone 16 does not list ProMotion or an adaptive refresh rate, unlike the Pro models, so our table leaves the refresh rate blank; the refresh rate guide explains what that number means and why Pro models list “up to 120Hz”.
Performance, cameras and battery
The A18 chip has a 6-core CPU (2 performance and 4 efficiency cores), a 5-core GPU and a 16-core Neural Engine, according to Apple’s specifications.
The rear system has a 48MP Fusion Main camera (26 mm, f/1.6, sensor-shift optical image stabilization), which also enables a 12MP 2x telephoto crop at 52 mm, and a 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120-degree field of view). The front camera is a 12MP TrueDepth camera at f/1.9.
For battery life Apple lists up to 22 hours of video playback, up to 18 hours of streamed video and up to 80 hours of audio playback. These are manufacturer figures and real use will vary.
Build, connectivity and durability
The iPhone 16 has an aluminum design with a Ceramic Shield front and a color-infused glass back. It is rated IP68, with a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes under IEC standard 60529. It measures 5.81 inches tall, 2.82 inches wide and 0.31 inches deep, and weighs 170 grams. It supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G on sub-6 GHz and mmWave bands and dual eSIM, and has an Action button.
How it compares with the iPhone 17
Apple’s own pages make the comparison with the iPhone 17 easy. Both launched at $799 in the US and both list USB 2 at up to 480Mb/s, a USB-C cable in the box and no power adapter. The iPhone 17 adds a 6.3-inch display against 6.1 inches, ProMotion with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, the A19 chip against the A18, 256GB as the starting storage against 128GB, and up to 30 hours of video playback against 22 hours. On wireless charging, Apple lists MagSafe and Qi2 up to 25W for both, though the MagSafe page gives the iPhone 16 a 22.5W peak while the iPhone 17 reaches 25W with a 30W adapter.
If you already own an iPhone 16, the published differences are mostly about the screen and battery rather than cables or chargers, so your existing USB-C cable and MagSafe charger carry over. If you are buying today, the iPhone 17 offers more for the same launch price, while the iPhone 16 is the one with a published iFixit score of 7 out of 10.
Repair overview
iFixit’s device page for the iPhone 16 shows a repairability score of 7 out of 10, and says all repairs require carefully de-gluing and later re-gluing the outer display or back cover. iFixit lists guides including battery removal and back glass removal. We link to them and never copy iFixit’s text. iFixit’s score page for the iPhone 16 notes a design that prioritizes screen repairs and an electrically releasing adhesive that streamlines battery replacements, and flags four different screw types and continued reliance on adhesives as complications.
Read our repair overview for the iPhone 16, battery replacement basics, screen replacement basics and how to read repairability scores. Apple says that for most people a professional provider using genuine parts is the safest route for a battery swap.
Video reviews
We have not verified individual review videos for this phone, so we do not list any. You can browse more video reviews of the iPhone 16 on YouTube.
Compatible accessories
Categories to look at: MagSafe cases, 20W chargers and screen protectors. We do not have affiliate links yet; when we do they will be marked as paid links.
See the accessories hub, chargers and power banks, which have airline rules.
Who should buy it, and who might skip it
Facts that help you decide:
- You want a phone Apple still lists at a lower launch price. It launched at $799, against $799 for the iPhone 17, which adds ProMotion and a 6.3-inch screen.
- You want repair information. iFixit scores it 7 out of 10.
- You want MagSafe or Qi2. Apple lists both up to 25W, with the 22.5W peak noted above.
- You want a charger included. None is in the box; budget for a 20W or higher adapter.
- You want a smooth 120Hz screen. Apple lists no ProMotion for this model.
- You want faster than USB 2 wired data. Apple lists USB 2 at up to 480Mb/s for the iPhone 16.